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PIT Puts a Number on Fuel Efficiency Ratings

FPInnovations’ Performance Innovation Transport (PIT) group now offers a technology certification program that allows consumers to identify the fuel efficiency value of almost any fuel-saving technology.

Called PIT Power, the new certification program is based on the internationally recognized Energotest, and uses the latest Society of Automotive Engineers J-1321 (2012) test protocol.

"Energotest is the industry’s most accurate, independent and indisputable evaluation process of the return on investment fleets can expect from green technology," says Yves Provencher, director of PIT.

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Speaking at a launch event on Tuesday, Provencher said he believes the published and highly visible results PIT Power offers will encourage suppliers to improve their product.

"Once a supplier has the certification needed for something like SmartWay, there's little incentive to take it beyond that to say six or seven percent," he said. "We know the fleets trust the Energotest, and we know suppliers value being about to tout their results. Now, the supplier can compete on results too, and the fleets can benefit from knowing more about their technology investment."

PIT Power provides suppliers who submit technologies for evaluation with the credibility associated with an exact, indisputable fuel economy ranking. The ratings start at 2, which indicates a 2% fuel savings, and has no upper limit. A supplier that receives a PIT Power rating can demonstrate its achievement by posting the PIT Power logo on its product. Fleets can look for technologies displaying PIT Power ratings as proof of performance.

“Suppliers can take advantage of this new certification process to demonstrate the real value of their technologies," says Provencher. "Fleets will appreciate that investing in technologies certified PIT Power will benefit their operations. PIT Power is a clearly a win-win approach."

Based in Montréal, Québec, Performance Innovation Transport (PIT) is an unbiased, neutral testing organization helping manufacturers evaluate and refine prototypes and fleet managers select the best technologies to reduce costs and environmental impact. PIT works in cooperation with the U.S. SmartWay Transport Partnership, Natural Resources Canada, and Environment Canada who has selected PIT as the benchmark facility for testing green transportation technologies. Membership in PIT has grown to include 36 fleets, 18 municipalities and four federal and provincial government agencies. For more information about PIT, visit pit.fpinnovations.ca.

Comments

1.Richard Wood[ February 20, 2014 @ 04:39AM ]

I applaud PITs decision to use the 2012 version of the J1321 procedure. Knowing that PIT will publish the test results exactly as directed in the SAE procedure will add great value to the industry and specifically to fleets. The SAE publication criteria provides customers with the data and information required to perform a risk assessment of all test results. I would also expect that PIT will list out the limitation of the test results - as detailed in the J1321 document. This will ensure that the test data is not improperly used in marketing material.

However I would offer a word of caution in the testing of aerodynamic products. The governing physics of aerodynamics does limit the potential benefit from any aerodynamic product. However, PIT seems to offering a carrot to aero product mfgrs that they will certify any result, even if that result violates the laws of nature. I strongly urge PIT to rethink their marketing strategy in this area or they will cause more harm than good.

2.Yves Provencher[ February 24, 2014 @ 10:52AM ]

Dear Mr. Wood,

Thank you for your continued interest in PIT and our efforts to help fleets accelerate the implementation of technologies by providing undisputable results.

PIT uses the 2012 version of SAE J1321 standard since 2012, and test conditions and limitations are presented in PIT reports.

We are committed to provide solid results to the industry and PIT, a not-for-profit organization, is founded by fleets to help fleets. Therefore, we have no interest in offering carrots to the aerodynamic industry or to any other group of suppliers. As emphasized in the article, PIT Power is a tool for helping fleets in choosing and implementing technologies that work, not a marketing strategy.

Our group tests a variety of products with the same rigor every time and the best products shine on their own. PIT tests have led to the implementation of many good products in the industry. Just as importantly, we have weeded out some products that do not work and that were claiming results that, as you say, were violating the laws of nature.

Please contact us for more information: www.pit.fpinnovations.ca

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